Ganges River Contamination: A Review

Organochlorine pesticides, brominated/perfluorinated compounds, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, steroids, hormones, phthalates, and plasticizers etc have been in use in a wide range of agricultural, industrial and sanitary commodities in the Ganges River basin, India. Widespread use of these chemicals has resulted in vigorous deterioration of the Ganges River ecosystem. Very few systematic studies have been conducted to assess the extent of contamination by the POCs (Persistent Organochlorines) and other toxins. This review aims to examine the contamination levels, spatial and temporal distribution pattern of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and other chemicals in the multi compartment Ganges River environment. The available literature leads to a conclusion that the Ganges River is highly contaminated by dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), heavy metals etc. however, scarcity of data on other POPs and emerging contaminants makes it challenging to assess their exposure in the entire length of the river. No evidence of a general decline in DDT and HCH residues in the river and its biota were found, although few studies, suggest a declining trend in levels of banned organochlorine pesticides (OCPs).